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IVI.' C. FRANK.

Lunnmous--INDlcAToR.`

` I APPLCATN FILED JULY l?. |916. Y 1,321,024. Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

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MAXWELL C. FRANK, 0F PIEDMONT, CALIFOIlRfN'IA.y

LUMINOUS INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 4L, 1919.

Application led July 17, 1916. Serial No. 109,645.

To all Iwhom, z't may concern:

Be it known that I, MAXWELL C. FRANK, citizen of the United States, residing at Piedmont, county of Alameda, State of Callfornia, have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Luminous Indicators, whereof the following is a specification.v

This invention relates to indicators and mole particularly to self-luminous indicators adapted to be attached to or 1n the V1- cinity of an object, such as an electric switch, door knob and the like, which must frequently be located in the dark. I

The primary object of the invention 1s to provide a button shaped indicator for this purpose, having a coatmg or layer of lumi- Anous or phosphorescent material suitably protected by a transparent covering and provided with means enabling the device to be quickly and easily attached.

The invention also aims to provide an indicator of this nature which shall be of simple construction, cheap to manufacture, very practical and durable.

lVith these and other objects in vieW t-he invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as Will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated and claimed.

.In the one sheet of drawings; forming part of this application Figure 1 is a transverse sectlon through one form of indicator.

Fig. 2 is a. section through a luminous indicator showing the use of varnish as a protective covering for the luminous material.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views showing other embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through an indicator, showing perforations containing luminous material.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a self luminous indicator in the form of an annulus.

Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive are sectional views showing further embodiments of my invention to be hereinafter described in detail.

These figures show my invention in a variety of different forms in which itmay be conveniently embodied. Each of these forms contains the essential features of the invention, which are; a self-luminous material; a transparent protective covering in front of the same, such as celluloid, varnish, etc.; a protecting and light reflecting backing behind the same; and means for attaching the indicator composed of those members, to a desired object.

Referring now more especially to Fig. 1; l designates a coating or layer of selfluminous composition. This luminous material is protected on its outer face and edges by a transparent covering 5. Behind the luminous material is a protective backing, which, in this instance, may consist of a layer of soft material such as felt, 3, preferably faced with a thin sheet of polished metal, or metal foil, 2, which is non-absorptive of light. The under side or back of the indicator may be completed by a coating of adhesive 4, by which it may be attached to or near an object which is to be indicated in the dark.

The other figures of the drawing show these same members in various shapes. In all of them the luminous material is marked 1, and the coating of adhesive, 4. But the transparent covering for the front of the indicator and the protective backing I have dtsignated by other reference letters. T1us;-

In Fig. 2 the transparent covering, which in this case is varnish, is marked 8, and the protective backing is 9, and may be lof porcelain.

In Fig. 3 the transparent cover is of celluloid, 12, and is continued around behind the backing as at 13. The protective backing is composed of felt 11 with its reflecting facing 10, similar to the form shown in Fig. 1. The adhesive 4 in this case does not cover the whole base of the indicator. but only an annular part thereof.

In Fig. 4 the form is similar to Fig. 3. the Celluloid cover 15 extending around the edges and behind the device, and 14 is the backing.

In Fig. 5 the luminous material is placed in openings in the celluloid shell 1G, and covered Iby'varnish 19, and the backing is composed of felt 18 faced with metal 17.

In Fig. 6 the backing is a metal annulus 20, with an upturned supporting flange 2l, Which clamps the transparent ring 22.

In Fig. 7 the indicator is the same as in Fig. 6, but of convex button shape. 24 is the reflecting backing, and 23 the transparent shape a's shown, there is a band 28 of metal o1' other material, for holding the members in position.

the button containing a filler 31, which may be of plaster-of-Parls. In Fig. 11 the hollow button has its cover 32 extending around and also inclosing the backing 33. In this case the supporting and adhesive means is the metallic ring 6.

Fig. 12 is similar to Fig. 10, but the indica-tor is shown flat instead of convex. 32, is

the cover, 33, the backing and 3&1 the sup-- porting filler. The filler in this case may 'be of cork, or similar material and glued therein.

rThe self-luminous material may be applied in various ways, for instance, directly to the inner face of the transparent shell or backing by coating the same thereon or in layers between the shell and backing.

`What l claim and desire to secure by Let` ters-Patent of the United States, is the following, towitz 1. An article of manufacture, having a layer of self-luminous material, a flanged, sheet-metal backing for the same, and a flexible, transparent, protective covering JI'orl the luminous material, the marginal edge'of said covering adapted to 'be positioned in the backing and be compressively held there in for retalning the elements in osition.

2. A luminous, button-shape indicator, comprising a backing and a Hexible, transparent member'adapted to be positioned with respect to said backing and be pressed in holding engagement therewith about. its edges, and .mclosin between said backing and member a sel -luminous material, the underside ofthe device being substantially flat. and provided with an `adhesive for securing the indicator to an object to locate the same in the dark.

3. An indicator, having a l-a er of selflummous material, a depressedv acking for the same, and a Celluloid sheeting to'cover and protect the luminous material, the margmal edge of said sheeting adapted to 'be held in binding engagement with the wall of the backing for sealing the luminous material, and Said indicator provided with means whereby it may be stuck in position.

4: An ,indicator including a trans-parent shell, a layer of luminous material opposed to the inner side of said shell, a backing for said luminous material, the shell being turned over the edge of said backing form- -ing a housing for the luminous material,

and adhesive means whereby the. indicator may be secured in position.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing l have hereto set my hand in the presence oi' two witnesses, this 3 day of July, 1916.

MAXVVFLL C. FRANK.

Witnesses:

L. BEARDEN, F. L. WoLFE. 

